I had an IS300h for a weekend - here's what I thought
Discussion
blearyeyedboy said:
We ended up a little downmarket of the OP, in an Octavia vRS estate. Enjoying it but I'm hoping someone makes a few more alternatives by the time it comes up for replacement in a few years' time.
I think bmw's 'E' drive train is probably the one to watch. Hopefully they will make a 330e touring which would be an absolute belter. The lexus could be too if they put in a proper gearbox and a turbo - but my guess is they won't.... Why would they want to do that?
It would defeat some of the benefits of the current Toyota system.
Atkinson cycle ICE
Electric motors to fill the reduced torque of the above.
CVT to keep the system running as efficiently as possible.
There are also paddle/manual mode available, but I haven't really used them, I just let the car get on with it, it is probably better at it than I am!
It would defeat some of the benefits of the current Toyota system.
Atkinson cycle ICE
Electric motors to fill the reduced torque of the above.
CVT to keep the system running as efficiently as possible.
There are also paddle/manual mode available, but I haven't really used them, I just let the car get on with it, it is probably better at it than I am!
conkerman said:
Why would they want to do that?
It would defeat some of the benefits of the current Toyota system.
no doubt; I've read many times about the efficiencies of CVT (something about always running at optimum torque) - but the rationale perhaps leaves aside driver enjoyment and engagement. I'm sure the other drive trains are less efficient, but I'd also wager they are more engaging and fun to drive. It would defeat some of the benefits of the current Toyota system.
not everyone wants that, but I do - and I found it lacking in the lexus. As I said before - i think if I spend more time in the city or up and down motorways (at constant speed), it would probably make more sense. As soon as you hit some open twisty road, it was boring.
conkerman said:
There are also paddle/manual mode available, but I haven't really used them, I just let the car get on with it, it is probably better at it than I am!
.. I did try the paddles - they didn't do much - the needle moved a bit and it made more (not very nice noise) - but not much more than that. If you want involvement and engagement, buy an old car with manual ignition advance and a crash box.
On a slightly more serious note, I think Lexus have purposefully avoided competing too directly with the established 'sports saloons' and to be honest with the extra weight of batteries etc, I don't blame them.
For me the gearbox suits the car, but I have bikes for fun. I do understand why it is contentious though. The fake engine nose is hilarious though, it even has 'gearchanges' in the soundtrack.
On a slightly more serious note, I think Lexus have purposefully avoided competing too directly with the established 'sports saloons' and to be honest with the extra weight of batteries etc, I don't blame them.
For me the gearbox suits the car, but I have bikes for fun. I do understand why it is contentious though. The fake engine nose is hilarious though, it even has 'gearchanges' in the soundtrack.
Had mine for 6 weeks now.
The good
I was worried about the CVT, brakes and handling having read review after review. I can't say any have bothered me. Most of the time I barely hear it the gearbox, only when accelerating hard. I dont find it off putting, annoying or bad, just different. I cant say pick up is an issue even in eco mode. If you put your foot down it leaps into action. a little faster if you are in sport mode, but its not slow even in eco, you just have to press a little harder on the accelerator, before it gets the message to 'kick down', after that there is no difference.
Handling seems fine. I've not thrashed it round country lanes yet, but the few country roads I have done with wife and kids its been perfectly good, no causes for concern.
I've had no issues with the brakes, I dont find them grabby, I can stop smoothly without the final headsnap jerk, just like every other car have driven.
Steering also seems fine which was another 'review' bugbear.
Yes its well put together, its considerably quieter than the Prius, Auris and CT200 (I test drove all), and my previous car.
MPG, so far I've done 4 fill ups, 57, 60, 54, 57 Computer mpg for circa 700 miles each of probably 70-80% motorway. Currently showing its lowest yet of 48 for the past week of very short journeys, where the engine does not even warm up.
The 60 one was on my own with 60% motorway 35% A road and 5% 4 mile too and from work. The others were 3-4 up and luggage. Which in the scheme of things is pretty damn good for a car with circa 220bhp and a 2.5 litre petrol engine. I do however drive pretty economically as a rule. I've not really taken it for a blast yet, partly cos I have a second car for that and secondly most of the time wifey and family are with me.
It is screwed together well. Boot is surprisingly big, I was expecting it to be smaller.
Its comfortable.
Plenty room in the back
The bad
very few storage cubbies, nowhere to pop a phone or keys other than in the arm rest
Cup holders small (my usual go to option for phone in other cars)
Shockingly bad usability of the Nav/Infotainment system, clunky, unintuitive, downright awful.
Rear seat room narrows considerably when the arm rest is down.
Performance wise it does NOT feel like 220 bhp, I suppose that is down a lot to the weight. I really notice the difference when driving my E46 330ci with supposedly similar power. Having said that, neither is it slow.
In all, I should have just ignored all the reviews, all the 'issues' turned out to be non issues for me. CVT, Handling, brakes, steering. Maybe if i pushed a car to its limits like I do with my fun car then these things would start to be annoying, but for day to day ownership they are quite frankly irrelevant/non issues.
The good
I was worried about the CVT, brakes and handling having read review after review. I can't say any have bothered me. Most of the time I barely hear it the gearbox, only when accelerating hard. I dont find it off putting, annoying or bad, just different. I cant say pick up is an issue even in eco mode. If you put your foot down it leaps into action. a little faster if you are in sport mode, but its not slow even in eco, you just have to press a little harder on the accelerator, before it gets the message to 'kick down', after that there is no difference.
Handling seems fine. I've not thrashed it round country lanes yet, but the few country roads I have done with wife and kids its been perfectly good, no causes for concern.
I've had no issues with the brakes, I dont find them grabby, I can stop smoothly without the final headsnap jerk, just like every other car have driven.
Steering also seems fine which was another 'review' bugbear.
Yes its well put together, its considerably quieter than the Prius, Auris and CT200 (I test drove all), and my previous car.
MPG, so far I've done 4 fill ups, 57, 60, 54, 57 Computer mpg for circa 700 miles each of probably 70-80% motorway. Currently showing its lowest yet of 48 for the past week of very short journeys, where the engine does not even warm up.
The 60 one was on my own with 60% motorway 35% A road and 5% 4 mile too and from work. The others were 3-4 up and luggage. Which in the scheme of things is pretty damn good for a car with circa 220bhp and a 2.5 litre petrol engine. I do however drive pretty economically as a rule. I've not really taken it for a blast yet, partly cos I have a second car for that and secondly most of the time wifey and family are with me.
It is screwed together well. Boot is surprisingly big, I was expecting it to be smaller.
Its comfortable.
Plenty room in the back
The bad
very few storage cubbies, nowhere to pop a phone or keys other than in the arm rest
Cup holders small (my usual go to option for phone in other cars)
Shockingly bad usability of the Nav/Infotainment system, clunky, unintuitive, downright awful.
Rear seat room narrows considerably when the arm rest is down.
Performance wise it does NOT feel like 220 bhp, I suppose that is down a lot to the weight. I really notice the difference when driving my E46 330ci with supposedly similar power. Having said that, neither is it slow.
In all, I should have just ignored all the reviews, all the 'issues' turned out to be non issues for me. CVT, Handling, brakes, steering. Maybe if i pushed a car to its limits like I do with my fun car then these things would start to be annoying, but for day to day ownership they are quite frankly irrelevant/non issues.
Edited by sparkyhx on Friday 23 June 15:44
phatmanace said:
blearyeyedboy said:
We ended up a little downmarket of the OP, in an Octavia vRS estate. Enjoying it but I'm hoping someone makes a few more alternatives by the time it comes up for replacement in a few years' time.
I think bmw's 'E' drive train is probably the one to watch. Hopefully they will make a 330e touring which would be an absolute belter. The lexus could be too if they put in a proper gearbox and a turbo - but my guess is they won't.... sparkyhx said:
I think an estate would be a winner, having said that most people these days seem to default to SUV, which I just dont understand. Every SUV I've seen has a tiny shallow (under parcel shelf) boot no bigger than a medium sized hatchback, and when you consider they are often quite huge vehicles I just dont get the attraction for families.
I don't get it either. Less efficient shape through the air so poor fuel economy and also more danger of a rollover when emergency steering around an obstacle (only so much ESP can do). Fine where really needed (off beaten track/more accessible to access) but most seem to spend all their life on motorways. I had the NX300h as a courtesy car while mine was in for a recall. Very comfy but the fuel economy was shocking.Edited by colin79666 on Saturday 24th June 11:26
I have owned Rx400h and an Rx450h, 1 x GS450h, 1 x GS300 and had an IS300h for a week loan. The GS450h is amazing for pace and the engine-gearbox combo seems to work well but i don't think it is tuned for economy. Loved that car although boot was laughable and steering not on a par with BMW. Great Q car.
RX450h and 400h really struggle with CVT gearbox. Engine resists being pushed hard and sounds thrashy. Both great around town and supremely reliable.
GS300 petrol had a nice auto box but was too slow for me.
The Is300h was too slow and the engine noise when pushing on was annoying. I got the sense they were really pushing to get below the 100 mark for CO2 emissions and less bothered about driving characteristics. I would have bought one if gearbox and engine gave a sub 7 second 0-60
Safe to say that all cars were supremely reliable and Lexus service is awesome.
RX450h and 400h really struggle with CVT gearbox. Engine resists being pushed hard and sounds thrashy. Both great around town and supremely reliable.
GS300 petrol had a nice auto box but was too slow for me.
The Is300h was too slow and the engine noise when pushing on was annoying. I got the sense they were really pushing to get below the 100 mark for CO2 emissions and less bothered about driving characteristics. I would have bought one if gearbox and engine gave a sub 7 second 0-60
Safe to say that all cars were supremely reliable and Lexus service is awesome.
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